Schools Definition and 479 Threads

A school is an educational institution designed to provide learning spaces and learning environments for the teaching of students (or "pupils") under the direction of teachers. Most countries have systems of formal education, which is sometimes compulsory. In these systems, students progress through a series of schools. The names for these schools vary by country (discussed in the Regional section below) but generally include primary school for young children and secondary school for teenagers who have completed primary education. An institution where higher education is taught, is commonly called a university college or university.
In addition to these core schools, students in a given country may also attend schools before and after primary (Elementary in the US) and secondary (Middle school in the US) education. Kindergarten or preschool provide some schooling to very young children (typically ages 3–5). University, vocational school, college or seminary may be available after secondary school. A school may be dedicated to one particular field, such as a school of economics or a school of dance. Alternative schools may provide nontraditional curriculum and methods.
Non-government schools, also known as private schools may be required when the government does not supply adequate, or specific educational needs. Other private schools can also be religious, such as Christian schools, gurukula (Hindu School), madrasa (Arabic schools), hawzas (Shi'i Muslim schools), yeshivas (Jewish schools), and others; or schools that have a higher standard of education or seek to foster other personal achievements. Schools for adults include institutions of corporate training, military education and training and business schools.
In homeschooling and distance education, teaching and learning take place independent from the institution of school or in a virtual school outside a traditional school building respectively. Schools are commonly organized in several different organizational models, including departmental, small learning communities, academies, integrated, and schools-within-a-school.

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  1. S

    Schools Options for International Students: Top Physics Schools Outside of the US

    I am an indian student finishing my undergrad this year and planing to apply for masters or Phd. Are there any notable and well known physics schools other than the ones US that i can consider applying to ? Like what are the options available other than US schools for masters program...
  2. S

    Schools Top European Physics Schools for Industrial Engineering Grad Programs

    There are huge resources to rank and rate the different universities for physics in US but i am blind as to what universities i can apply outside US preferably Europe. with the profile i have i don't think i have any shot in top schools and can aim only for 2nd tier schools My profile as of...
  3. Z

    Schools Which School is Better for a Physics Major: UCSB or UC Berkeley?

    Hi guys, First of all I know that many threads has been posted in regards to a physics major deciding between UC Santa Barbara and UC Berkeley. I've been reading all the threads yet still can't make a strong decision or preference over one school. I am a recent undergrad physics transfer...
  4. X

    Schools Antenna (RF/Microwave) Engineering Schools

    Hello Everyone, I just want to get an idea about which schools offer the best programs for antenna engineering. I'm an electrical engineering undergrad wanting to get a masters in electrical engineering with an emphasis in antenna design and/or rf/microwave engineering (circuits and...
  5. D

    Schools Suggestions for grad schools to apply to

    I'm starting to do some research into what grad schools I should apply to this fall for a pure math PhD. I'll be finishing my undergrad in May 2015 with a major in math and minor in physics. I'm not 100% sure what area I want to go in to, but I'm leaning more towards the topology and geometry...
  6. A

    Schools Getting into Physics Graduate Schools as a non-Physics Major

    Hello, all, I am quite interested in pursuing a PhD in physics (preferably theoretical), but I've run into the slight problem that my undergraduate major is not physics. From what I've gathered, I pretty much have my choice of a graduate program in mechanical engineering from my...
  7. T

    Schools How do graduate schools judge part time graduate applications

    Basically part-time graduate students are paying their own way through grad school. At the least they probably aren't receiving much if any assistance from the university. Because of this, are university departments less strict on the criteria for admitting a part-time student? If i put...
  8. O

    Schools Junior level needs advice on graduate schools and academic culture

    Hello! I am a junior level physics major at a state university (first semester here, 1.5 years to go). I am the first in my family to attend college beyond a two year degree and I myself have recently transferred from a community college. With that said I suppose it is no surprise that I...
  9. J

    Schools Canadian graduate schools- increasing chances

    Hi, just here looking for some advice... I'm only at a community college right now in the United States. I have plans to transfer to a decent university (but by no means prestigious) soon. My GPA is 3.9 and I'm hoping to keep it up around that area. I'm going to be majoring in physics (and...
  10. L

    Schools Visiting Grad Schools: Tips for Requesting a Visit

    Much to my delight and surprise, I have recently been offered admission grad school. I currently have one offer but am going to wait to hear back from a few more schools before possibly visiting and committing to one. I've kept in contact with the school and let them know of this intention. The...
  11. D

    Schools What Are Good Alternative Engineering Schools for a Transfer Student?

    Hi everyone, I am at a community school right now taking math and science courses (Calculus III, Physics II, and General Chemistry II at the moment) planning to transfer for the Fall of 2014, enrolling somewhere in Mechanical Engineering with a possible Math double major (double with a Math...
  12. B

    Schools What Are the Top Engineering Physics Programs for Plasma Physics and Photonics?

    Hi there, my fine-feathered physics friends, Caleb here. I'm researching undergraduate Engineering Physics programs in the States and wonder if y'all would lend me your opinions. I've done a good bit of invaluable searching here already but would like to add a small bit of specificity to the...
  13. C

    Schools Should I Switch Schools to Take Advanced Math and Science Classes?

    Stay or switch high schools?! Math and science are my favorite subjects. I like to challenge myself and take the hardest classes. However, my school doesn't have AP Calculus BC or AP Physics C. I'm currently a soft-more. Should I switch schools, or just take those classes in college? Thanks
  14. D

    Schools How do graduate schools look at non-core physics courses?

    How do graduate schools look at "non-core" physics courses? If a graduate committee sees the transcript of a student who did well in all the core physics courses (≥B+) but in then see a C or C+ in a non-core physics course, say electronics? Could that essentially break an application or is...
  15. N

    Schools Does the Choice of Undergraduate School Impact Physics Grad School Admission?

    Hello, I am new to these forums, though I have found myself here for homework help on more than one occasion :-p. I was at a small liberal arts college for three years as a biology major with the intention of going to medical school. During my second year I decided I wanted to pursue science...
  16. G

    Schools Looking for potential Grad schools

    I had a friend convince me to take the physics gre with no preparation, just because i wanted to see how I would do. I do want to go to grad school, anywhere would be good based on my abysmal gre score. I'm a senior, next semester is my last then I'll have my BS in physics. I'm a B student...
  17. K

    Schools Merging of Schools: STEM Degree Concerns in North Georgia

    So we (students) were informed recently of a merging of two schools in north Georgia, SPSU and KSU. SPSU is a science/tech/engineering school, while KSU is... not so much. Everyone is panicking thinking that a STEM degree from what is normally known as a liberal arts college would look bad. Is...
  18. teroenza

    Schools General GRE Math Score Importance to Engineering Schools

    Hello, I am a physics major who is going to graduate soon, and am taking the general and physics GREs. I am looking at both physics and engineering graduate schools. I believe that the physics GRE is pretty much irrelevant to engineering schools, but I have had difficulty with the...
  19. S

    Schools MSEE Programs for Low GPA - Schools & Atlanta Area Options

    Hello all, I am currently trying to get into a Masters Electrical Engineering program. I earned my BSEE from Georgia Tech ~3 years ago, and have been working as an electrical engineer since. Unfortunately, my GPA was quite low when graduating (~2.84). I did reasonably well on my GREs, (600...
  20. I

    Schools Schools in North America having same fees for international students

    Hello My friend is studying computer science/engineering and wants to apply to Canada and US for MS. Of course he is looking for schools with low tuition fees. Can you suggest some ? One of the schools (www.sfu.ca) he found in Canada has same fees for domestic and international students...
  21. P

    Schools Grad schools emphasizing teaching

    Hello all, I'm looking for advice from people in any physics/astronomy/astrophysics graduate program. If you're short on time, please feel free to skip to the last paragraph; I would really appreciate any help. I did my undergraduate degrees in physics and math, and if you don't mind me...
  22. teroenza

    Schools Using Wolfram Alpha to Evaluate/Compare Graduate Schools

    Hi All, I am looking into engineering and physics grad schools. I have a good deal of information available, and am trying to sort through it. Has anyone used Wolfram Alpha to do anythings like this? From basic comparisons like "Harvard University, Princeton University" it will give you a...
  23. Hercuflea

    Schools Best plasma physics schools in Russia/Europe?

    Hi all, I am an aspriing Fulbrighter looking into universities in Russia and Europe. My intended field in graduate school is in plasma physics and I have already had some research experience in plasma. I was wondering if there are any universities in Russia that have decent plasma physics...
  24. G

    Schools Graduate Schools for Photovoltaic Research

    Hello! First post on Physics Forums. I am a rising junior majoring in physics at a small liberal arts college. I'm very interested in renewable energy, and this summer I've been introduced to a bit of research in this area. I'm working with a semiconductor material and characterizing thermal...
  25. M

    Schools Applying to Grad Schools in Dec/Jan visit them now?

    I haven't take the PGRE yet, but would it be beneficial to me to visit institutions I would be interested in now to get my name out there? Or is this unheard of / faculty has no time? Thanks.
  26. Chemicist

    Schools Are big name schools really that different?

    I've been working hard academically to meet the requirements to go to Caltech for a while now, though I was recently thinking, other than the benefit, albeit a major one, of having a big name school on your résumé, are there any benefits to going to universities like Caltech, Stanford, Harvard...
  27. K

    Schools Grad Schools for Neutrino Experiment

    Hi everyone. I think for grad school I want to do work on neutrinos. Anyone know of any good and up and coming schools with good faculty working on these experiments? My application should be good, but not great with great grades/research but very average GRE and PGRE scores.
  28. M

    Schools Dual Major, Crappy Cum. GPA, can I apply to top schools

    Stats after the fall semester (the time I will be applying for graduate school for Physics) Best case scenario I will have a 3.4 cumulative GPA, 3.85 Physics GPA, and a 3.0 Math GPA Dual Mathematics and Physics major, took 5 years to complete. 1st - 3rd year grade were par or less...
  29. Y

    Schools Is ABET Accreditation the Key to Engineering Career Success?

    hi all so when you decide to pursue a career in engineering you will normally start looking for an engineering school and that happened to me and I had to spend days searching and looking. my conclusion is : for the undergraduate level the important thing is the ABET accreditation. once the...
  30. D

    Schools Top Physics Graduate Programs in Europe (excluding UK)

    I'll be applying for graduate studies(M.S) in Physics in a couple of years, so I would like to know the best universities in Europe but NOT UK as I cannot afford it. The reason I'm asking this now is because I will be learning the language of the country I decide to go to - even if they have...
  31. E

    Schools Religious Schools Frowned Upon In Physics Community?

    "Religious" Schools Frowned Upon In Physics Community? The University of Notre Dame is a very well know school located in northern Indiana. I live approximately 20 minutes away from the Notre Dame campus and I would absolutely love to be able to get into their Physics Ph.D. program after...
  32. E

    Schools Will grad schools take me seriously coming from a small school?

    Hi folks. I am currently pursuing my B.S. in Physics at Indiana University South Bend. The physics department is pretty small but the quality of the program is, in my opinion, pretty good. Will the fact that I'm attending a small, relatively unknown school for physics negatively impact grad...
  33. E

    Schools Summer Schools [PITP, TASI, SSI etc] still taking people?

    So this summer, I believe I'll be taking my second senior lab class and I am pretty sure I can work out completing all the necessary labs in about half the semester [I did the labs traditionally assigned for the second semester in my first since I was the odd one out for lab partners]. I'll be...
  34. denjay

    Schools Do graduate schools see all of your grades?

    I'll be applying to graduate school this fall which is my second to last semester. Do they make the decision without seeing these grades?
  35. J

    Schools Signal Processing Graduate Schools

    I'm a junior electrical engineer at a NY state school I'm looking to get my masters in EE with a specialization in signal processing. What are the best graduate schools for this? Thanks
  36. G

    Schools Undergrad university choice - your opinion of two schools

    As a high school senior, I have just heard back from all of my schools and now must make my decision. I plan on majoring in physics tracking myself towards graduate school, and eventually a research position, so naturally I want to be involved with undergrad research as soon as possible...
  37. C

    Schools White Dwarf Research in North America: Schools, Professors, Programs

    My advanced statistical mechanics professor claimed that there were very few doctorate-granting schools in North America doing research in white dwarves. While that professor might have some fame as far as white dwarf research is concerned (along with Winget, that professor is one of the biggest...
  38. I

    Schools Switching schools, am I just inept?

    I'm in quite a predicament, I'm in my second year as a physics undergrad and I have far less than stellar grades to show off for my intro physics classes. The problem is that my physics classes are a "scale-up" environment. For those of you that don't know what scale up means; instead of...
  39. D

    Schools Too late to apply for grad schools?

    So I applied to four grad schools, my PGRE score was 830 and my GPA is a 3.92, but I've already been rejected from two of the schools and haven't heard back from the other two, which leads me to believe I'm going to be rejected from all four of the schools I applied to, leaving me with no...
  40. P

    Schools Get recommendations for graduate schools while not in school?

    I graduated in 2010 with a degree in math. Now I wish to go to graduate school, but I have no one I can think of that I would help me write a academic recommendation. I never build any relationships with professors when I was in college. From reading what I can online, I am told that I should...
  41. U

    Schools Chances of getting into good grad schools

    I'm just curious what everyone thinks. I've got an overall GPA of 3.2, but in physics it's more like 3.5. 750 PGRE score and I'll bet my letters of recommendation were strong, although I didn't see them. I had some undergrad research in the math department, and also some in the physics...
  42. D

    Schools Should I Apply to Grad Schools Without My Desired Programs?

    When applying to grad school, a rule of thumb is to apply to "safety schools". I am wondering does that mean these schools we apply to may not have our desired programs? I live in Canada and I am interested in mainly differential geometry for grad studies, but there aren't many grad programs...
  43. M

    Schools Easiest Physics Graduate Schools to get into

    Hi I have already applied to the schools I want to get into and two others which i know I have a shot at. However I am looking for some physics graduate programs (in the US) which are easy to get into for safety. I'd appreciate your help.
  44. A

    Schools Visiting Schools Before Acceptance

    I just finished up applying to physics PhD programs for fall 2013. I was trying to think whether there was anything else I could do to increase my chances of admission. Would visiting the schools prior to acceptance increase my chances of getting in, or would it be perceived as annoying? I...
  45. PhizKid

    Schools Letters of recommendation from non-native English speakers (US schools)

    When applying as a transfer to a 4-year college from community college, is there anything detrimental about this? I don't want to be insulting and ask him to get someone to proof read his letter of recommendation, but he's not exactly a Nobel laureate or NAS member so I'm afraid if his letter is...
  46. hideelo

    Schools Switching Undergrad Schools: Should I Do It?

    Hi, I'm currently enrolled in Brooklyn College with the intention of getting a BS in physics. However I am beginning to notice two things. 1- that the level of academia here is not exactly fantastic (for example, the most common question I hear in most classes is "do we HAVE TO know this for the...
  47. M

    Mathematics education in schools

    I thought I'd make a topic about this here and see what everybody else thinks about it. Just so you know before reading the entire post, I am fourteen years old and I know math topics up to and including complex analysis. I wrote some of what I have been going through as well, so I thought I...
  48. K

    Schools Good Schools for Physics/Astronomy

    Hi everyone I'm a high school senior in Chandigarh, India and I'm applying for undergraduate studies in the United states. I applied to Princeton early action, but I got deferred to regular decision. Can you suggest me some good schools that have good physics/astronomy programs other than the...
  49. C

    Schools Doing a PSM in Nanoscience before applying to Ph.D at top schools

    First: I am US Citizen, inquiring about US study though open to study abroad. I'm in my last year of my Physics degree, and like many people would like to go to do my Ph.D in Physics. However, my GRE and GPA are only mediocre and I'm concerned that I would have difficulty getting into a...
  50. C

    Schools High energy astrophysics schools

    I realize that I want to do high energy astrophysics (thereafter designated as HEAP). I applied at the MSc level at McGill to do just that. (I have alternate schools for different physical subjects: my own undergraduate school for white dwarves/exoplanets, York for dark energy) But, if I...
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